Did You Know...

It has now been 23 days since my cousin, 18-year-old University of Washington student Marizela Perez, disappeared in the Seattle area.

I wish I could tell you good news.

We have had a private investigator on the case the past week. Several leads have been followed. But Marizela is still missing. Our hearts ache for Emem and her parents, Edgar and Jasmin, who have not rested one moment in their efforts to find her. Marizela’s loved ones continue to spread the word and spread her spirit in her South Jersey hometown of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, in her home away from home in Seattle, WA, in her parents’ native homeland in the Philippines, and across our great country where so many friends and volunteers have kept Marizela’s case in the public eye.

Marizela’s friend Brianna Price went to school with her in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Brianna teamed up with Elizabeth (Beth) Janansky and Lydia Chong to make and sell bracelets to support the search for Marizela. They are orange “for Marizela’s favorite color” and include the Tagalog phrase from her tattoo — “lahat ay magiging maayos.” (“All will be well” or “Everything’s going to be okay.”)

You can order bracelets for $5 each (all proceeds go to Marizela’s family for the search) from Brianna.

E-mail her at dragunsangel-@-aol.com and put “MARIZELA” in the subject line.

Brianna writes that Marizela’s South Jersey friends will also be holding a fund-raising event on April 8 at Egg Harbor Township High School’s lower cafeteria where the bracelets will be sold:

“I am working alongside the Egg Harbor Township High School’s Drama Club/Thespians Honor Society, Key Club, Art Club, Latin Club, Choir, Dance, and many teachers and graduates to put together a Coffee House performance night. This event is on Friday, April 8th. Doors open at 7:30. Admission is $5.00 and we will be selling wristbands there as well. The link to the event page on facebook is http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=306349&id=613401648&saved#!/event.php?eid=203738876322949.”

While we press forward with the investigation and search efforts, please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. -Psalm 27:13